Obviously I give those people little more credit on IQ side, than some of you. That's fine, no harm done.

Not a question of IQ. My opinion is that Wolf joined Merc after having been told by Lauda and the Merc board that the team needed a top to bottom shakeup. So I'm betting that he came in thinking that Ross needed to go. He reportedly had a handshake deal with Lowe already for Williams, so he surely knew he could get Lowe at Merc to replace Brawn, but probably needed to do so quickly before Williams and Lowe signed a contract. The problem is that after the deal was signed and Wolf got settled into Merc, I think he realized that Ross wasn't the problem and that he and the board had been sold a bill of goods by Lauda. So he ended up with two team principals in essence, both under contract for huge sums. I think Lauda was gunning either Ross' or Haug's job. I expect to see him in a very diminished role next year.

All just gut feeling for the situation of course, but I think it makes sense.

If you believe that article, than I suggest we meet; I have a bridge in Brooklyn which I want to offload cheaply. Do you really believe that Lowe will quit a cushy job at McLaren without knowing what's on the other side of fence? Do you really believe that Mercedes will hire a guy with high income without having a plan?

If you have been following the story and can't read between the lines well enough to see that it is in fact perfectly credible, then maybe you're not as smart as you think, probably why you got lumbered with a bridge nobody wants too.

Not a question of IQ. My opinion is that Wolf joined Merc after having been told by Lauda and the Merc board that the team needed a top to bottom shakeup. So I'm betting that he came in thinking that Ross needed to go. He reportedly had a handshake deal with Lowe already for Williams, so he surely knew he could get Lowe at Merc to replace Brawn, but probably needed to do so quickly before Williams and Lowe signed a contract. The problem is that after the deal was signed and Wolf got settled into Merc, I think he realized that Ross wasn't the problem and that he and the board had been sold a bill of goods by Lauda. So he ended up with two team principals in essence, both under contract for huge sums. I think Lauda was gunning either Ross' or Haug's job. I expect to see him in a very diminished role next year.

All just gut feeling for the situation of course, but I think it makes sense.

Possible, but what credentials does Lowe have to be installed as a TP, to make it worth ousting Brawn for him?

Not a question of IQ. My opinion is that Wolf joined Merc after having been told by Lauda and the Merc board that the team needed a top to bottom shakeup. So I'm betting that he came in thinking that Ross needed to go. He reportedly had a handshake deal with Lowe already for Williams, so he surely knew he could get Lowe at Merc to replace Brawn, but probably needed to do so quickly before Williams and Lowe signed a contract. The problem is that after the deal was signed and Wolf got settled into Merc, I think he realized that Ross wasn't the problem and that he and the board had been sold a bill of goods by Lauda. So he ended up with two team principals in essence, both under contract for huge sums. I think Lauda was gunning either Ross' or Haug's job. I expect to see him in a very diminished role next year.

All just gut feeling for the situation of course, but I think it makes sense.

That's an interesting angle, which I have not considered, I must admit to that. Mine was an assumption, that a plan exists, but it is not being shared. Simple as that. (Despite I genuinely dislike top heavy organizations, lets get this out of the way).

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Initially I thought that Brawn will be subservient to Lowe, but then my belief changed with thinking they will split business into two segments, and on equal level will answer to Wolff. In some foreseeable future Brawn will want to retire, and Lowe will slot-in on expanded role. All speculation right now.

I find that a bit hard to believe. Can't see how anyone can seriously start any work on the 2015 car until they have seen how their 2014 car fares.

I don't. In any schedule-driven development environment you are going to be confronted with the fact that you have far-reaching development ideas or goals that cannot be accomplished in time for the next milestone. This is especially true when you are undertaking a disruptive change. Thus you plan and execute what you can for the upcoming milestone and in parallel try to work on the longer-term items. There is no doubt risk that something you learn in the intervening time will require that you revisit some of what you did towards the longer term, but you have to take that risk to be there with the "next big thing."

Why is is that whenever someone leaves McLaren, they appear to experience instant hair growth, (my follically challenged favourite, driver the exception proving the rule) must be something in the water.

Why is is that whenever someone leaves McLaren, they appear to experience instant hair growth, (my follically challenged favourite, driver the exception proving the rule) must be something in the water.

They are no longer pulling it out because of the stress, caused by the super anal-retentive nature of those at the top.

"When I arrived on the Monday four weeks ago, the first person to greet me and spend an hour with a cup of coffee was Ross," said Lowe at the British Grand Prix on Friday, as he made his first appearance at an F1 race this year.

"He was genuinely delighted to see my arrival and get me stuck into the business. I think that will give you a sign that he is not threatened by my position.

As Pirelli affair settled as is, hard imagine that there is someone who argues that Ross is to go.

But Merc F1 is sending awful too much money on top end salaries, IMHO, now tat might be the problem.

IMHO, Ross to stay for long time, then who should go?

I would love him to stay but I think he (Ross) is going to move on soon...( If he isn't pushed out) I think he wants to get the team on a stable footing as a frontrunner then he will bow out. There's really not much left for him to prove and he does love his fishing after all.

Id like to see how Paddy deals with sporting regs, f1 politics and all the bluster and brinksmanship that it entails as well as man management which includes sensitive driver egos.

I was skeptical at first but upon reflection Paddy probably deserves a fair shake so we will see.

I would love him to stay but I think he (Ross) is going to move on soon...( If he isn't pushed out) I think he wants to get the team on a stable footing as a frontrunner then he will bow out. There's really not much left for him to prove and he does love his fishing after all.

Id like to see how Paddy deals with sporting regs, f1 politics and all the bluster and brinksmanship that it entails as well as man management which includes sensitive driver egos.

I was skeptical at first but upon reflection Paddy probably deserves a fair shake so we will see.

I think it may be. The guy has indeed done it all and his management style is not the type that you will find in the f1 paddock too much anymore. He is old school and i really like that but i have to recognize that the times change.

I think it would be too much for him to take on another challenge in turning around a team. If he was to move to another team it would have to be an already top running team. The only turn around job i would see him attempting to take after Mercedes would be possibly working with Williams as a director of some sort with both Frank and him teaching Claire how to properly manage Williams F1.

Stranger things could happen though ... are Domenicali and Whitmarsh safe ? and would Ron and Montezemolo ever hire/ Re hire him to run their teams ?

1. Midway through 2012 Whitmarsh orders a complete redesign for next season to fit Button's needs as he can't drive the current car
2. Paddy realises this is the wrong way to go and has a word with his friend Toto re a Mercedes opening
3. Paddy (who is a Lewis fan according to pre 2011 quotes) has a quiet word with Lewis re his plans and Toto tells Lauda to get the board to sign Lewis.
4. Lewis signs for Mercedes
5. Paddy gets released from Mclaren
6. Lewis pretends that he much prefers having Brawn on board than Lowe to keep Brawn on board for his skills in management and regulation bending
7. Due to being surplus, Paddy get all the time he needs to work for Silverstone upgrades to suit Lewis
8. Mercedes do tyre test and get away with it.
9. Paddy comes on board officially in time for Silverstone
10. Lewis claims a dominant pole with a free flowing style, making references to feeling like 2007 (a car that Lowe designed that suited Lewis' style)

1. Midway through 2012 Whitmarsh orders a complete redesign for next season to fit Button's needs as he can't drive the current car2. Paddy realises this is the wrong way to go and has a word with his friend Toto re a Mercedes opening 3. Paddy (who is a Lewis fan according to pre 2011 quotes) has a quiet word with Lewis re his plans and Toto tells Lauda to get the board to sign Lewis.4. Lewis signs for Mercedes5. Paddy gets released from Mclaren6. Lewis pretends that he much prefers having Brawn on board than Lowe to keep Brawn on board for his skills in management and regulation bending7. Due to being surplus, Paddy get all the time he needs to work for Silverstone upgrades to suit Lewis8. Mercedes do tyre test and get away with it.9. Paddy comes on board officially in time for Silverstone10. Lewis claims a dominant pole with a free flowing style, making references to feeling like 2007 (a car that Lowe designed that suited Lewis' style)

1. Midway through 2012 Whitmarsh orders a complete redesign for next season to fit Button's needs as he can't drive the current car2. Paddy realises this is the wrong way to go and has a word with his friend Toto re a Mercedes opening 3. Paddy (who is a Lewis fan according to pre 2011 quotes) has a quiet word with Lewis re his plans and Toto tells Lauda to get the board to sign Lewis.4. Lewis signs for Mercedes5. Paddy gets released from Mclaren6. Lewis pretends that he much prefers having Brawn on board than Lowe to keep Brawn on board for his skills in management and regulation bending7. Due to being surplus, Paddy get all the time he needs to work for Silverstone upgrades to suit Lewis8. Mercedes do tyre test and get away with it.9. Paddy comes on board officially in time for Silverstone10. Lewis claims a dominant pole with a free flowing style, making references to feeling like 2007 (a car that Lowe designed that suited Lewis' style)

"My current role is executive director technical. Toto is my opposite number on the business side. The remit is a wider involvement in the strategy of the business than I would have had as a technical director."

It is understood that the intention at Mercedes is for Brawn to stay on into next year but not necessarily in his current role.Discussions about exactly what his role might be and how it will combine with those of Lowe and Wolff are expected to take place over the forthcoming weeks, now that Lowe has been in place for enough time to get a sense of the team's situation.Lowe said: "Ross is team principal at the moment. We don't know how long he will want to remain team principal. Those plans aren't made.

I dont understand the desire to get rid of Brawn.... who else could have successfully pulled off a stunt like the "secret" tyre test.

If he leaves Merc I hope the goes to Macca after Whitmarsh is sacked at the end of this year .... yes, write it down. I am predicting Whitmarsh will be sacked by Macca - and probably at the end of this year.

I dont understand the desire to get rid of Brawn.... who else could have successfully pulled off a stunt like the "secret" tyre test.

If he leaves Merc I hope the goes to Macca after Whitmarsh is sacked at the end of this year .... yes, write it down. I am predicting Whitmarsh will be sacked by Macca - and probably at the end of this year.

I don't think there is any desire to remove Brawn. I think it is his own desire to go out on the high. Last season he missed a race because of heart problems. It is entirely possible that he wants to hand over as soon as he feels that he accomplished what he sees fit with Mercedes as a TP. All the noises Mercedes make indicate that they are are giving him freedom as to when he wants to step down, there seems to be no pressure. Its only the media keeping the story afloat. They have also stated more than once that they intend to keep him at the team after he steps down.

I don't think there is any desire to remove Brawn. I think it is his own desire to go out on the high. Last season he missed a race because of heart problems. It is entirely possible that he wants to hand over as soon as he feels that he accomplished what he sees fit with Mercedes as a TP. All the noises Mercedes make indicate that they are are giving him freedom as to when he wants to step down, there seems to be no pressure. Its only the media keeping the story afloat. They have also stated more than once that they intend to keep him at the team after he steps down.